Loving

By graduation, the Jesuit high school student is continuing to form his or her own identity. He or she is moving beyond self-interest or self-centeredness in close relationships. The graduate is beginning to be able to risk some deeper levels of relationship in which one can disclose self and accept the mystery of another person and cherish that person. Nonetheless, the graduate’s attempt at loving, while clearly beyond childhood, may not yet reflect the confidence and freedom of an adult. By graduation the student already: 1. is learning to trust friends, family, and adults in the school and wider community. 2. has personally experienced God’s love. 3. is growing in self-acceptance and in recognizing that he or she is loved by God and others. 4. assumes responsibility for maintaining good personal health. 5. is attentive to sources of stress and applies healthy strategies to maintain balance in one’s life. 6. is alert to the signs of emotional and mental distress in others and follows appropriate referral measures. 7. has begun to identify and work against personal prejudices and stereotypes; is open to and able to communicate with others, especially persons of another race, gender, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or sexual orientation. 8. has personally experienced support from members of the school community. 9. has made specific contributions to build school community. 10. is becoming increasingly comfortable and mature in relating with persons of a different gender. 11. is beginning to integrate sexuality into his or her personality. 12. has begun to appreciate deeper personal friendships, while also learning that not all relationships are profound and long lasting. 13. is beginning to appreciate the satisfaction of giving of oneself through service for and with others. 14. is increasingly empathetic. 15. takes into account and values the feelings of others when making decisions. 16. is sensitive to the beauty and fragility of the created universe and exercises stewardship. ​17. cares deeply about preserving human life.